Pharmacy technicians keep the workflow moving smoothly by helping with customer service, assisting the pharmacist in filling prescriptions, and dealing with insurance questions. The pharmacist mixes any special medications and consults with clients when necessary, but the technician performs many of the other needed tasks in the pharmacy, including counting out and packaging common medications under the close supervision of the pharmacist.

Stress and Conflict

Busy shifts can make it more difficult to deal with stressful situations. This includes upset customers, who might be concerned about whether their insurance will pay for the medicine or want a refill before it's allowed. Before your pharmacy technician interview, prepare for questions about how you handle stress at work, suggests the American Pharmacists Association. Practice answering questions about working through conflicts with co-workers as well as customers, and give examples of situations where you helped calm irate customers. Many pharmacies promise time frames so customers know how quickly they can pick up their medicines, so be ready to answer questions about how you handle the stress of multiple deadlines while maintaining customer safety.

Communication

Communication occurs on multiple levels in a pharmacy. You must listen closely to customers to determine whether they need more information from the pharmacist. Listening to the pharmacist's instructions is essential, as is communicating any concerns to him clearly and concisely. You must also communicate with insurance companies, navigating to the right department quickly. The hiring manager is likely to focus part of the interview on your communication skills -- how you communicate with the pharmacist, co-workers, customers and insurance companies. Prepare answers to questions about your communication style.

Knowledge and Skills

Pharmacy technicians need to develop a strong working knowledge of common prescription medications, how they interact and possible side effects. This knowledge is usually gained either on the job or through specialized technical training at a community college. They also must learn complicated computer systems and have high-level organizational skills. The hiring manager is likely to ask you what pharmacy computer programs you've used to determine your learning curve. She might also ask you to describe a case where you caught possible drug interactions before filling a customer's prescription and how you handled the situation. Describing your organizational skills gives the hiring manager an idea of how you make sure you complete your tasks in a timely fashion without cutting corners that could affect customer's health and safety. According to Ochsner Health System, accuracy is essential for pharmacy technicians, so prepare to answer questions about how you maintain precision when counting and dispensing medications.

Your Questions

Not all interview questions come from the potential employer; you're usually given an opportunity to ask questions of your own to help decide if the position is a good fit. Asking about continuing education possibilities gives you an idea of whether your goal of advancement would be supported. To help you determine whether your personality will mesh with that of the pharmacist, ask about his communication style. Asking what traits you'll be evaluated on lets you understand what qualities are most important to the pharmacy management.

About the Author

Based outside Atlanta, Ga., Shala Munroe has been writing and copy editing since 1995. Beginning her career at newspapers such as the "Marietta Daily Journal" and the "Atlanta Business Chronicle," she most recently worked in communications and management for several nonprofit organizations before purchasing a flower shop in 2006. She earned a BA in communications from Jacksonville State University.